The name Wellisbury reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Wellisbury family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Wellisbury family lived in Lincolnshire, in the parish of Welby.

Wellisbury Early Origins

The surname Wellisbury was first found in Lincolnshire at Welby, a village and civil parish in the South Kesteven district, historically in the union of Grantham, wapentake of Aswardhurn. The place name was first listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 at Wellebi [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) and literally meant "farmstead or village by a spring or stream," from the Old English word "wella" + the Old Scandinavian word "by." [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4) A far as the surname is concerned, while there is no doubt the family came from this local, there is question about the original progenitor. One reference cites that John, the Lord of Castleton, around the time of William Conqueror's invasion of England in 1066 A.D. and another cites Sir Thomas Welby, who held the manor of Frieston with Poynton Hall c. 1216. [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print. Sir William Welby was also listed as possessing property between 1307 and 1327. He married the heiress of Multon of Multon and that became the principal family seat until the end of the 16th century. [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.

Wellisbury Spelling Variations

Wellisbury Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Wellisbury family name include Welbey, Welby, Welbie, Welbye and others.

Wellisbury Early History

Wellisbury Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wellisbury research. Another 231 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1216, 1307, 1574, 1638, 1397, 1471, 1492, 1561 and 1801 are included under the topic Early Wellisbury History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wellisbury Early Notables (pre 1700)

Wellisbury Early Notables (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Wilbye (c.1574-1638), an English madrigal composer; several of the name who were Sherriffs of Lincolnshire, beginning with Roger Welby in 1397; followed by Richard Welby in...

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wellisbury Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wellisbury In Ireland

Wellisbury In Ireland

Some of the Wellisbury family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 41 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Wellisbury family to immigrate North America: Alice Welby who settled in Virginia in 1654; George Welby, who settled in Massachusetts in 1630; and Mrs. Welby, who settled in San Francisco Cal. in 1853..

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Bede, The Venerable. Historia Ecclesiatica Gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History Of the English People). Available through Internet Medieval Sourcebook the Fordham University Centre for Medieval Studies. Print.

The Wellisbury Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Wellisbury Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.